While Nine Dots Studio has finally announced a release window for its fantasy RPG sequel, fans will have to wait a while longer: Outward 2 is officially set to launch in summer 2026, pushing the return to Aurai even further into the future.

The original Outward, which attracted over three million players, stood out in the open-world RPG genre by ditching the usual power fantasy and delivering a grounded survival adventure requiring preparation, perseverance, and strategy. Outward 2 builds on that foundation, introducing new and refined features while maintaining the same commitment and intent the developers expect from players.

You’re not a legendary hero. Choose from three starting scenarios and eleven background stories to determine your character’s humble origins in this harsh world. Whether you’re a devout follower of Elatt mining for fortune or a down-and-out drifter in Simeon’s Bastion, the world of Aurai won’t show mercy – not even in defeat. Being knocked out won’t end your journey. You might be robbed and left behind, rescued by a kind stranger, wake up in town with injuries – or worse.

A full-year seasonal cycle transforms Aurai dramatically. Merchants and NPCs change locations, frozen rivers become passable in winter, and more. The four regions each come with unique biomes, seasonal traits, and gameplay twists. From the snowstorms of the Gilded Mountains to the acid rains of the Gathes of Catharsis, every journey will bring new trials.

Gameplay systems that shape the player

Everything in Outward 2 shapes how you play. The new Exercise system reinforces your playstyle – from the weight and material of your armor to your weapon choices. Passive skills evolve organically based on your decisions. You can find trainers scattered across Aurai who’ll teach you survival tactics for a price.

Magic isn’t just a button press anymore: spells require rituals. For example, launching a fire stone can create a fiery circle around you, empowering your abilities. Combat has been significantly improved, now featuring more tools, weapon combinations, and smoother, more responsive animations. These changes were driven directly by feedback from players of the first game.

Your backpack is your lifeline. Every slot matters. You’ll need food, potions, weapons, and camping gear – but as you collect more, space becomes precious. Some discoveries simply aren’t worth the space. In battle, dropping your pack can give you agility. A new addition is the mule, which can help haul your gear but adds its own vulnerabilities to consider.

Aurai is unforgiving. You shouldn’t face it alone. Team up with a friend to balance weaknesses and combine strengths. Cooperative play opens new paths and options for overcoming the many trials ahead in Outward 2.

“With Outward 2, we finally have the means to deliver our vision for the game: a believable, grounded adventure experience. We kept the same ingredients, stayed true to our vision, and improved what wasn’t up to our standards: our combat system, immersion, and character creator. When we started working on Outward in 2015 with our Kickstarter campaign, our goal was to create the ultimate simulation of an adventurer’s life. Despite having only 11 dedicated team members, we surpassed expectations and achieved what larger studios could not. With Outward 1, we learned a lot from our players. We improved based on their feedback and gave them what they wanted with our downloadable content. We stayed true to the vision they loved while improving the experience of living a true adventurer’s life. Much better graphics, better immersion, and better combat,” wrote Nine Dots Studio CEO and Creative Director Guillaume Boucher-Vidal.

Outward 2 is expected to launch on PC in summer 2026.

Source: Gematsu